Page 62 of About Last Knight

“I left a girl back home. She was having trouble with me leaving our hometown. I needed to go and make a clean break for her sake. I don’t want the same small-town life she wants. The long goodbye was only hurting her. It was time for me to go.”

I nod in understanding. I see that he’s emotional about it. I want to change the topic of conversation. “Tell me, Lance, what are you studying?”

His face lights up. “I’m attending business school. I’m still figuring out exactly what I want to do, but I’m pretty good with numbers and I know I want to be in the fast-paced business world. A small town isn’t really conducive to that.”

“Lance, my ex-husband owns a large, successful business. One of the biggest in Philadelphia. Two of my sons work with him. Would you have any interest in working there? I can discuss it with him. I’m sure he’d be open to it.”

He looks surprised. “Do you still speak to your ex-husband?”

I can’t help but smile. He’s probably never met a divorced person before. No one in our hometown ever gets divorced. “Yes, Lance. We weren’t right as husband and wife, but we’re good friends. We have children and grandchildren together. I see him all the time.”

“Wow, that’s pretty cool.”

I smile again. “I’m happy to talk to him about it. I’m actually going to a party at his and his wife’s house this weekend. The whole family is meeting my boyfriend for the first time or I’d bring you. I’ll definitely bring you next time though. You have a lot of family here, Lance. You’re not alone.”

“Thank you, ma’am. I appreciate it.”

He looks confused. “Just so I understand it, you bring your boyfriend to parties at your ex-husband’s house with his new wife?”

I can’t help but laugh again as I nod.

Declan

I’ve picked up Jade, and we’re on our way to my place. She’s meeting Melissa for the first time today. We’re all going to paint Jade’s room together. I’m both excited and nervous. They’re the two most special people in my life, and I really want them to get along.

I smile at her in the car. “Are you okay meeting my girlfriend?”

“Of course. I’ve never met anyone you’ve dated before. I’m excited. It must be pretty serious.”

I nod. “It is. I care a lot about her. I hope you like her.”

She shrugs. “If you like her, I’m sure I’ll like her too. Chill out, Dad.” I scowl at her. I hate when she tells me to chill out, and she knows it.

She just smiles, but fortunately changes the subject. “We’re painting today, right?”

“Yep, I have all of the supplies and the color you chose. I put up a few other colors on the wall so you can see them before we commit to one color.”

“Great. My friend Jaime is picking me up at your place in a few hours. Hopefully we’ll be done by then. I brought a bag of clothes so I can change after we paint.”

“That works. It’s no big deal. Melissa and I can finish painting if we’re not done when your friend arrives. I want you to go out and have fun with your friends. I’m looking forward to meeting one of them.”

She smiles and nods.

We arrive at my apartment. I look around, but Melissa isn’t here yet. I know she was having brunch with her nephew and then said she had a few errands to run.

I show Jade her room and the paint colors. She seems to really like the space. Looking at all the paint samples I put on the wall for her to see, she likes them all, but decides on the original one she had chosen.

I hear Melissa eventually arrive. We walk out of Jade’s new room, and I see Melissa with arms full of bags. They’re piled so high, she can’t see us.

She places them down on the table without noticing us. “What did you buy, woman?”

She turns around startled. “Oh. I didn’t know you guys were here yet. I thought I had more time.”

She sees Jade and smiles warmly. “You must be Jade. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”

Jade shrugs and deadpans, “Who’s Jade? I’m Declan’s girlfriend Sonia. Who the hell are you?”

Melissa’s eyes widen. I start laughing. I walk over and pull Melissa into my arms. I give her a soft kiss. “She’s kidding, babe. She has a…rather unique sense of humor. This is my daughter, Jade. I promise.”

---